San Bernard NWR is known for the variety of birds that use this refuge throughout the year, from nesting terns and herons in the spring to migrating warblers in the fall. Among these birds is a large population of waterfowl, including puddle ducks and snow geese. San Bernard NWR offers both general and special permit hunts for waterfowlers who come to hunt these birds. The general hunt areas can be accessed only by boat, while the permit hunt is walk-in. Because many hunters don't want to carry decoys, they often hunt by pass shooting. For hunters who have taken the time to learn the refuge, pass shooting can be an extremely effective tactic. Each fall, there can be a lot of ducks and geese using the refuge, but the hunting is highly dependent on their daily flight patterns. There are nearly always lots of snow geese, but they can be extremely wary. They are most often taken incidentally by hunters hunting the many puddle duck species on the refuge.
Sargent Unit Waterfowl Hunt Area
The Sargent Permit Waterfowl Hunt area will be opened for hunting during the regular season beginning November 01, 2025. These hunts are depending on water availability. Permits will enable the applicant and up to three additional hunters to hunt from 30 minutes before sunrise to 12:00 noon on the two hunt days (Saturday and Wednesday) for which the permit is issued. Eighty permits for two hunt days each will be issued for the 2025-2026 waterfowl season. For hunters who are drawn, each permit is $45.00 and is non-refundable.
To apply for the hunt, fill out the Waterfowl Lottery Application below, elements 1-6 and submit the application via email to [email protected] between September 01 and September 30, 2025. We will not accept lottery applications outside of this time frame. You must be 18 years or older to apply for a permit. This lottery application form is a fillable PDF. Please ensure all required fields are comleted, including all contact information (name, address, phone number, and email address). You must provide an email address, as all notifications and permits will be issued by email. Lottery applications must be signed either physically or digitally, in order to be accepted. Unsigned applications will not be accepted. We will hold the drawing on Wednesday, October 08, 2025, at 09:00 AM. We will fill slots in the order applicants are drawn with priority given to the week preference. You may apply only once.
HUNT AREAS 9 AND 10 ARE NO LONGER AVAILABLE.
Please utilize the Sargent Permit Waterfowl Hunt Regulations & Map to identify your area preferences. Due to the ease of access, we will give priority for Area #1 to those with limited mobility. All successful applicants will be notified by email as placements are made, and the permit fee is requested at this time. Payments must be made by calling (979) 964-4011 and providing checking account or credit card / debit card information for electronic processing. Upon receipt of the fee, your permit will be approved and emailed to you. This permit must be printed, signed and in hand while on the refuge. Only one permit will be issued per successful applicant. The permit holder must be present and included in the hunt party.
Permits will be issued for the following dates:
November 01 and 05, 2025
November 08 and 12, 2025
November 15 and 19, 2025
November 22 and 26, 2025
December 13 and 17, 2025
December 20 and 24, 2025
December 27 and 31, 2025
January 03 and 07, 2026
January 10 and 14, 2026
January 17 and 21, 2026
Other Areas open for Waterfowl Hunting on San Bernard NWR
The refuge is open for waterfowl hunting only in designated areas, which includes ducks, geese and coots. See the San Bernard NWR Waterfowl Hunting Regulations for refuge-specific information on hunting the designated areas below.
The refuge is open for early teal and regular waterfowl seasons, in accordance with Texas State Regulations. No fees are charged, and no permits are required for hunting the Salt Bayou, Smith Marsh or Cedar Lakes Waterfowl Hunt Areas. The Sargent Permit Waterfowl Hunt is a lottery hunt that takes place in Pentagon Marsh off of FM 457.
- Approximately 6,700 acres are open for hunting in the Salt Bayou, Smith Marsh and Cedar Lakes Waterfowl Hunt Areas, which can be reached by boat.
- The Sargent Permit Waterfowl Hunt provides 8 hunt areas within Pentagon Marsh. Selected hunters are permitted to hunt the Saturday and following Wednesday for which they are selected.
Hunt Information for other refuges on Texas Mid-coast National Wildlife Refuges Complex
Big Boggy NWR - Waterfowl Hunting Regulations
Brazoria NWR - Waterfowl Hunting Regulations
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